Title: Vice President of Philanthropy

Salary: $170,000 – $190,000, with bonus eligibility

Please Note: Due to our holiday closure, applications submitted during this period will not be reviewed until the first week of January. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

About The James Beard Foundation: 

The James Beard Foundation(“JBF”) is a vital cultural institution with deep roots honoring and advancing the culinary arts industry. JBF’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. As a 501(c) (3) national non-profit organization, JBF brings its mission to life through the annual James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country. 

Position Overview

The Vice President of Philanthropy is a highly visible senior leadership role responsible for driving JBF's comprehensive fundraising strategy. This position requires an experienced frontline fundraiser who will personally cultivate major gifts while managing a team of five and overseeing all philanthropic revenue streams, including major gifts, institutional giving, annual giving, fundraising events, and membership.

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, this role collaborates closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership to achieve ambitious financial goals and advance organizational priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The VP will represent JBF externally at a wide variety of events across the country.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Growth

Develop and execute an annual strategic fundraising plan to achieve current budget of $8M, with a goal of building sustainable renewable support to $10-12M within 3-5 years
Serve on and collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team, fostering a culture of philanthropy across all departments
Design and lead a capital campaign to raise between $5-10M for the historic James Beard House on West 12th Street, in partnership with Executive Leadership, the Board, and consultants to be retained
Develop and manage an annual departmental budget and regularly present financial performance to the CGO, CEO, and Board

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

Build the Major Gifts program and personally manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the 5-, 6-, and 7-figure level through strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Ensure rigorous donor research and moves management systems to secure new and renewed major gifts
Partner with the CGO, CEO, and Board to maximize their effectiveness as organizational ambassadors and fundraisers

Institutional Giving

Expand JBF's foundation and corporate funding pipeline through relationship cultivation; oversee the Director of Institutional Giving in developing compelling proposals and impact reports
Ensure grant compliance and timely reporting to institutional funders

Board & Committee Engagement

Staff and drive agenda for the Board’s Development Committee, including fundraising strategy, trustee giving and engagement, campaign updates, and quarterly reporting
Coach and support trustees in their individual fundraising efforts

Team Leadership & Development

Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of 5 development professionals, with a commitment to ensuring best practices in fundraising
Establish departmental systems, policies, and metrics to track progress toward strategic goals
Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture with emphasis on professional growth

To be effective in this role, key core competencies and personal characteristics include:

Core Competencies

Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to establish trust and cultivate meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders, including high-net-worth individuals, foundation officers, board members, and colleagues
Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop innovative fundraising strategies aligned with organizational mission and market opportunities
Communication Excellence: Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfort representing the organization at public events
Analytical Skills: Strong critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and data-driven decision-making
Emotional Intelligence: Diplomatic, persuasive, and able to navigate complex organizational dynamics with discretion
Adaptability: Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
Collaboration: Player-coach mentality; willing to work cross-functionally and support team efforts at all levels

Requirements

Minimum 12 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including at least 5 years in leadership roles
Proven track record personally securing 6- and 7-figure gifts
Experience managing or playing a leadership role in a capital or comprehensive campaign
Demonstrated success building and managing high-performing development teams
Proficiency with CRM databases, particularly Salesforce
Strong budget development and financial management skills
Genuine passion for JBF's mission and the independent food and beverage industry
Integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment
Resilient and solutions-oriented under pressure
Flexibility to attend frequent evening events and travel 1-2 times per month (typically 1-2 nights per trip)

The submission of a resume and cover letter is a requirement for all applicants for this role. An application will not be considered without a cover letter.

Benefits 

JBF offers its employees a dynamic work environment with benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents; life insurance; flexible spending account; commuter benefits; retirement savings; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement/ professional development; and generous paid time off. We also offer fertility planning support and up to 18 weeks (about 4 months) of paid parental leave. Additional perks include staff events, tickets to events at Platform by JBF (Pier 57), and much more.   

The Foundation currently works on a hybrid schedule that requires employees to be in our NYC office 2 days per week. This position is not eligible for relocation.  

The James Beard Foundation

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Vice President of Philanthropy